Retired Navy Physician Had Passion for Family, Work and Adventure

James Michael McClurkan was a man who "expressed his love through works."

For his community, it was as a tireless pediatrician who loved helping children. For his family, it was as a selfless husband and father of three children who he'd surprise with little home projects that made their lives better.

The 69-year-old retired Navy captain was in his final stage of training for a ride from Minnesota to Washington when tragedy struck Saturday. His bike was hit by an SUV while he was going east on NW Holly Road. His injuries too severe, he died Sunday morning at Tacoma General Hospital.

"He was passionate about the things that he loved," said Carolyn McClurkan, his wife of 45 years. "He could be gruff, but he always had a smile on his face behind that gruffness."

The pair met over a bridge game while they both studied at Tulane University in New Orleans. McClurkan, a native of Harlan, Ky., had served in the Navy as a medic in Vietnam and was studying to become a doctor.

They married only 5 1/2 months after that game of bridge. They traveled the world during McClurkan's Navy career, taking up residences in Guam, Spain, Japan and San Diego before ultimately settling in Bremerton.

He was devoted to his three children, Todd, 43, Chris, 40, and Elisa, 33.

An example of his devotion to his children came in February, when Elisa, who lives in Portland, broke her wrist. Her father immediately scheduled a trip to take care of her.

"I'm really grateful he and I had that time together," she said. "He's the most wonderful dad."

His son Chris, who lives in Seattle, recalled his father offering to build a spice rack or a cabinet for him.

McClurkan was modest about his intelligence, and connected with kids as an empathetic pediatrician whose southern accent "always made you feel very comfortable," said James A. Campbell, a fellow pediatrician.

And though McClurkan retired from the Navy, he would never retire from service, working part-time at a Tacoma clinic until his death.

He was as physically fit as he was mentally fit, having been the doctor for the Navy SEALs in San Diego during his time there. He'd even train with them, said Norm Winn, a longtime friend who lives in Seattle.

"He was physically very imposing," Winn said.

Though he enjoyed opera, musicals, discussing politics and taking pictures, his most passionate hobbies were in the water and on two wheels. He spent time scuba diving around the world. A personal favorite was a dive in Papua New Guinea.

The pinnacle of his cycling career came late in his life. In 2004, he rode the 4,200 mile "Bikecentennial" trail solo, going from Oregon to Virginia. He'd also logged hundreds of miles the year before in New Zealand.

This summer, he was just completing training for a ride from Minnesota to Washington. Son Chris had planned on accompanying him during the beginning stages of the trek.

"He was very, very dedicated to his family," Chris said. "We always came first to him."